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Alison Morrison-Shetlar, vice provost and dean of undergraduate studies at the University of Central Florida, Orlando, Fla., has been named dean of ÂÒÂ×ÊÓƵ College, the College of Arts and Sciences, and professor of biology at ÂÒÂ×ÊÓƵ. Her appointment by Provost Steven House comes after a national search.

J. Earl Danieley, who served as president of ÂÒÂ×ÊÓƵ from 1957-1973 and remains a fixture of the community, will be recognized as part of the annual Founders Day celebrations. The events include a special College Coffee on March 9, a Whitley Auditorium College Chapel service on March 11 and, later that evening, a fireside chat in Whitley Auditorium where Danieley will answer questions collected in advance from students by the Student Government Association.

Two-thirds of North Carolinians believe that religion is losing influence on American life, compared with about 24 percent who believe religion is gaining influence, according to the latest ÂÒÂ×ÊÓƵ Poll. Nearly 65 percent say there should be no requirement for elected officials to believe in God.

Half of North Carolinians approve of the way President Barack Obama is handling his job as President, while about 75 percent say they disapprove of the way Congress is doing its job, according to the latest ÂÒÂ×ÊÓƵ Poll. President Obama’s favorability rating stands at 53 percent in North Carolina, while 41 percent view him unfavorably.

ÂÒÂ×ÊÓƵ has been recognized for the fourth year in a row as a national leader in service-learning and civic engagement. The Corporation for National & Community Service named the university this week to the 2009 President’s Higher Education Community Service Honor Roll With Distinction for exemplary service efforts to America's communities.

Most experts surveyed in a new ÂÒÂ×ÊÓƵ/Pew Internet study say the Internet enhances and augments human intelligence. The survey of nearly 900 Internet stakeholders reveals fascinating new perspectives on the way the Internet is affecting human intelligence and the ways that information is being shared and rendered.

Jeanne Robertson, a nationally acclaimed humorist and a member of the board of trustees at ÂÒÂ×ÊÓƵ, is partnering with the Times-News in Burlington for a Feb. 23 evening fundraiser to benefit relief efforts in Haiti. Tickets for the event at Williams High School are now on sale for $20. All proceeds will be given to the American Red Cross and New Directions International.

At the deepest point of the 2009 financial woes, a class of ÂÒÂ×ÊÓƵ philosophy students turned to 19th century American philosopher Ralph Waldo Emerson to help understand America's response to the economic meltdown. What they found is published in new book titled "The Only Sin is Limitation: Essays on R.W. Emerson's multi-faceted influence on America."

Three ÂÒÂ×ÊÓƵ alumni have been named recipients of Rotary Ambassadorial Scholarships to help fund graduate studies overseas. Their recent selection brings to six the number of ÂÒÂ×ÊÓƵ students or alumni chosen for the prestigious award since 2006.

Marilyn Cochran-Smith, a national expert on teacher education research, comes to ÂÒÂ×ÊÓƵ on March 10 for an evening lecture that explores a current school focus on testing, and how educators can use their teaching in the service of social justice.